Abstract of Oral Presenters of Wildlife Symposium

A CASE STUDY ON WILDLIFE CONFLICT, AND CONSERVATION IN CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK (CNP), AMALTARI BUFFER ZONE, NAWALPARSI, NEPAL

 

Prem Lal Mahato* and Hari Marasini

Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

Chitwan National Park has 4 Buffer zones, where different communities are living. World widely wildlife attracts a huge number of tourists but, wildlife conservation is a challenging job. The Government of Nepal and various organizations make plans to conserve wild animals, while their conservation has a negative role as well, because the increase in the number of wild increases conflict between wild with Human, Livestock, and Crops. The increment of the number of tigers significantly increases the number of death due to a tiger attack. Cases in which wild deer being attacked by a pack of stray dogs proves the conflict between stray dog of the buffer zone and wildlife such attack has various deteriorative effect on the wild animal's conservation. Community-Based Anti-Poaching programs has shown a significant role in the reduction of poaching. Without community involvement, the conservation is not sustainable and even it can not be maintained in its normal condition. Community people are directly benefitted from the national park and wild animals are being protected by the community people, but the stray dogs are threat. The dog can transmit various diseases related to viruses, bacteria, and parasites to the wild animals. The study concludes that community people are those who are affected the most, benefitted the most and conserved the most. The conservation without the involvement is not effective and for all-round conservation, we must not ignore the health condition and management of the stray dogs of the buffer zone.

 

Keywords: Buffer zone, Community-based, Conflict, Conservation, Dog

 
 

 

*Correspondence: pnamahato1@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE IN REPTILE SEX DETERMINATION

 

Sachin Regmi*

Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

Temperature sex determination predominates chromosomal sex determination in reptiles and ray-finned fishes, unlike vertebrates where later is more pronounced. These two mechanisms are negatively correlated in those species. The biology of sex determination via chromosomal heteromorphism both X, Y and W, Z in sexes may be subject to thermoregulation in reptiles, which may also change underlying genetic pre disposition.  Temperature pulses at a thermosensitive period; middle 1/3rd of embryogenesis, favors sexual shift, these pulses are null and void once the period passes. Pulses may be as low as 20C difference at nesting temperature. Two different types of temperature sex determination (TSD) are explained based on the number of the transition zone. Type 1 favors the formation of one sex at a higher temperature and other at lower as seen in turtle and tuatara, type 2 favors male formation at intermediate and female at an extreme temperature as in lizards and crocodiles. In some species like dragon lizard temperature alteration during incubation may even alter the expression of sex chromosome. In an artificial condition in species where TSD predominates administration of estradiol at male producing temperature and aromatase inhibitor at female producing temperature also causes sexual shift which explains the hormonal role of aromatase similar to that of chromosomal sex determination (CSD). TSD is a type of environmental sex determination other factors includes density, pH, environmental background color, egg size as well. Adoptive advantage of TSD is male vs female fitness in which female generally need longer time reach maturity obtained if hatched earlier in season.

 

Key words: - Embryogenesis, Reptiles, Sex determination, Sexual shift, Temperature

 
 

 

*Correspondence: thesachinregmi@gmail.com

 

 

 

HUMAN-WILD BOAR CONFLICT: SURVEY BASED CASE STUDY OF THE VILLAGE OF ARGHAKHANCHI, NEPAL

Subash Belbase*

Tribhuwan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

Wild boar (sus scrofa) is among the common mammals found in Nepal. Human- wild boar conflict is common and is the major raider of agricultural crops in Nepal with huge economic loss. This study was purposive with household questionnaire survey along with key informant’s survey and was conducted from July 15, 2019-August 31, 2019 in Chhatradev rural municipality-04 Arghakhanchi, Nepal.The small village was the unit of study that was located at the edge of forest with only few human habitats and households. Most of the human residential area(households) were either at the extreme lower(plain) or at the top of the hill.   50 households and 10 key informant’s questionnaire survey was conducted. The result was based on the observational findings and information collected from the survey. The result shows that 35% of the respondents were directly and 65% were indirectly affected. No any human injuries and death case has been reported till the date. Among all the agricultural crop cultivated annually, maize was the major crop damaged by the wild boar with total reduction of 49.5% on production basis and average of 275$/5000 sq. ft. economic loss (on the basis of area of maize cultivated). Further evaluation of socio-economic data showed that there is a huge challenge in mitigating the existing problem as only 2% of respondents had a higher level of education and the number of active youths is negligible and had very less concern in this issue. The existing mitigating measures were all temporary and traditional like:  crop guarding by making noise and hitting the tin at night, electrical wire fencing. Among those, electrical fencing was found to be the most effective measure to control the entry of wild boar inside agricultural land. Further research, awareness and study are required for sustainable measures in mitigating such problems in future. 

 

Key words: Arghakhanchi, Conflict, Economic loss, Human-wild boar, Maize

 

*Correspondence: subashbelbase1994@gmail.com

 

 

 

HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT: PROBLEMS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Yuvraj Panth*

Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is defined as negative interaction between human and wildlife, which affects harmonious relationship with local residence. The term is a serious issue for biodiversity conservation as well as for the security of life, both in rural as well as urban life. Different research papers, that mentioned conflicts in the globe, were reviewed and the issues were studied. Existed early during ancestors of prehistoric man, intensifying since few decades, HWC has made South and South East Asia more vulnerable. While vivid wild fauna are known for the issue, Asian Elephant is the most encountered animal in Nepal. Crop as well as livestock devastation make the first position in conflicts due to animal followed by human injuries, disease transmission risk, competition for water and grazing lands, etc. In contrast, space for human population growth, subsistence farming, illiteracy, inadequate compensation, etc. are mentioned under conflicts due to human. Collaboration between the local residents and conservation site is must, in an approach to manage HWC. Management can be done by prevention of contact between human and wild animals by separating the territory of their natural resource consumption, and by change in attitude of the locals towards the wildlife and involving them in conservation, while bringing tolerance in human towards wild life. Time says the term human-wildlife conflict should be replaced by human-wildlife coexistence.

 

Key Words: Coexistence, Conflict, Human, Wildlife

 

*Correspondence: vetdoc.yuvraj@gmail.com

 

CURRENT ONGOING VULTURE CONSERVATION WORKS IN NEPAL

1Ramkrishna Poudel, 2Bhupal Nepali, 3Krishna kaphle

1Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

2Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), Butwal, Nepal

3Institute of Agriculture and Animal science, Paklihawa campus

 

ABSTRACT

A vulture is a scavenging bird of prey. There are nine species of vulture are found in Asia and all have been recorded in Nepal. All are representative of old-world vultures which are placed with in the family Accipitridae and order Accipitriformes.  Vultures are important among the bird species due to their unique ecosystem services. Rapid consumption and safe disposal animal carcasses, is an important ecological role of vulture which prevent spreading of zoonotic disease. With the aim to establish captive population of critically endangered vultures for the purpose of conservation breeding and subsequent reintroduction to diclofenac free environment , a captive breeding Centre has been established at Chitwan National park , Kasara which currently holds white-rump vulture in partnership of Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation( DNPWC) , National Trust for Nature conservation(NTNC) and Bird Conservation Nepal(BCN) supported by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds(RSPB,UK) and Zoological Society of London(ZSL,UK). In order to halt the decline of those critically endangered vultures, Government of Nepal put ban on the production, import and use of veterinary diclofenac in June 2006 and endorsed Vulture Conservation Action Plan for Nepal (2009-13) in 2009. Meloxicam has been widely promoted as safe replacement of diclofenac. To reduce mortality in the wild in situ measures have been initiated through establishment of vulture restaurants as safe feeding sites. Restore viable wild population of all species of vulture through the provision of safe food, maintenance of suitable habitat and captive-breeding and re-introduction in Nepal.

 

Keywords: - Captive breeding centre, Critically endangered, Diclofenac, Vulture restaurant

 

*Correspondence: ramkp049@gmail.com

 

 

“RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ETHNO-CULTURAL AND VETERINARY PRACTICES WITH POPULATION TREND OF HIMALAYAN VULTURES (GYPS HIMALAYENSIS) IN UPPER MUSTANG, NEPAL”

Biplov Sapkota¹*, Roshan Ghimire¹, Anil Kumar Tiwari¹, Shailendra Yadav², Rishi Baral²

¹Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

²Annapurna Conservation Area Project, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC-ACAP), Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

The main objective of the study was to determine the status of Himalayan vulture Gyps himalayensis and to understand the relationship of ethnocultural and veterinary practices in the area with population trend of Himalayan vulture in Upper Mustang of Nepal. The status of Himalayan vulture was based on transect count, nest observation and carcass number. Primary data and secondary data recorded during bird count, structured and unstructured questionnaire survey in the study area was entered in MS Excel version 2016 and interpreted. The study was conducted for a total of 18 days in April and May of 2019. Total length of transect walked was 121 kilometers. Total number of Himalayan vultures, including those at nests and carcass sites, along the transect line were 109. 45 nests were encountered during the transect line in which 17 nests were unoccupied, 22 nests were occupied and 6 nests were active. Birds encountered per day was 4.06 birds per day whereas birds encountered per square kilometer of transect was 0.6 birds per square kilometer. These results are suggestive of the fact that the Himalayan vulture population in Upper Mustang is increasing at a slow rate. Social survey was conducted in order to understand the ethno-cultural and veterinary practices followed in the study area. Structured and Non structured questionnaire were used to conduct survey among 32 households of Lomanthang and Chhoser village which were selected randomly as site to perform survey. Non structured questionnaires were used to collect further data from other villages that fell along transect lines. Diclofenac was not found in circulation in case of veterinary medicines but was available easily in case of humans, which might predispose to probable misuse of the drug by buying it from human medical stores for use in animals. Database creation and regular monitoring of Himalayan vultures are mainly recommended. Conservation awareness programs need to be designed based on the results of monitoring of vultures for better efficiency.

 

Keywords: - Vulture, Transect, Status, conservation awareness

 

*Correspondence: bplv624@gmail.com

 

 

TUBERCULOSIS IN ELEPHANTS OF NEPAL: ZOONOTIC CONCERN

 

Diksha Sapkota* And Krishna Kaphle

Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) is again in global health concern as it reemerges to a top ten killer and threaten millions worldwide. Concerns of latent tuberculosis carriers by quarter of global population, multi drug resistant TB, have raised enough alarms to seek efforts to end its epidemic by 2030 as one of the sustainable development goals. In Nepal, various species of animals poses TB threat as a serious zoonotic disease. Nepalese captive elephants have tested positive, underwent medication and hurting tourism-based economy. TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and reports cite captive elephants are at higher risk than the free ranging wild elephants. Early detection is crucial as well as a challenge as typical signs of tuberculosis are not evident due to which its visual diagnosis is difficult. Nepalese institutions have yet to establish accurate diagnosis facilities, which is major complaint of elephant owners. Comparative technologies, postmortem based confirmatory diagnosis have been done in past. The popular trunk wash sample culture and serological tests are in practice. This paper is based on review of published scientific literature available on various online journals and authentic websites about the status of elephant in TB in Nepal. It is mentioned that 13-22 of Nepalese Asiatic elephants are affected from tuberculosis as reported in 2007. More than 10 elephants were found dead since 2002 to 2014. Government has made various strategies to prevent both human and elephants from the infection. The use of captive elephants in tourism business and the zoonotic threat makes it in a difficult position as Nepal relies heavily on tourism for much needed business.

 

Keywords: - Elephants, Serological tests, Trunk wash, Tuberculosis, Zoonotic disease

 
   

 

*Correspondence: dikshasapkota23@gmail.com

 

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND HABITAT MAPPING OF CHIROPTERA-A CASE STUDY FROM KERKHA, JHAPA

 

Amrita Darjee*

Agriculture and Forestry University, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal

 

ABSTRACT

Bats have not received adequate attention in biodiversity research and conservation activities in Nepal despite their ecological values. Bat comes among the least studied and highly misunderstood animal. Several of the bat species are enlisted in various category of CITES and IUCN Red Data Book, unlike in Nepal Wildlife legislation where its status is unclear. The research entitled “Species Identification and Habitat Mapping of Chiroptera-A case study from Kerkha, Jhapa” were carried out to prepare the Habitat Map and identify the species occurrence in the study area with focus on threats assessment. Habitat mapping were carried out using GIS and GIS supportive software. For assessing threats, questionnaire survey, informal discussion, direct field observation etc. were followed, whereas species identification was done by capturing the bat species using mist netting/butterfly netting & studying species morphological characteristics and photography. Obtained data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively depending upon the nature of data using computer-based software, MS-EXCEL, Arc GIS etc. This research prepares a Roost site distribution map of Chiroptera in the study area; identifies one species of bat i.e. Pteropus giganteus (Indian Flying Fox). Population of bat was estimated 1774-1800 by exact count and branch estimation method and identified its roosting trees and threats with discussion with the local   people. The mean tree height was correlated with the mean number of roosting Indian flying fox and eight tree species were used for the roosts. The existence of this species in Kerkha, Jhapa were mainly threatened due to electroloculation, habitat destruction, weather extremes, killing by children. This research concludes that Kerkha, Jhapa is a suitable habitat for bat. Most people realize that bat provides benefit and are ecologically valuable, but there still exists misconception about this poor creature & recommends that this animal be kept within the priority of wildlife legislation.

 

Key words: Chiroptera, GIS, Habitat Mapping, Species identification, Threats

 
   

 

*Correspondence: amritadarjee997@gmail.com